Stamp, label, and the like



Dee 17 1940' G. M. EISENBERG STAMP, LABEL, AND THEKLIKE Filed May l0, 1959 PAPE/E' FEES PUCH/:Ww

meub@ cm,

Patented Dec. 17, 1940 STAMP, LABEL, AND.THE `LIKE George M. Eisenberg, Chicago, Ill., assignor to AmericanDecalcomania Company, Inc.Cl1i cago, Illg, a corporation ofIllinois Application May 10, 1939, Serial No; 2725888 7 Claims.

after application of the stamp without applying4 water to the stamp itself. A further object is to provide a decalcomania transfer formed of a number oflayers, the structure being suchthat uponV abrasion, the layers separate at the point where the identication mark appears. A still further object is to provide a reinforced layer` 2b formed of metal or some similarly effective material which resists the abrasion when the top layers are removed thereby and provides Van identication mark. A still further object is to provide in combination with a transfer formed 2 of several' layers, a weak layer enabling separation to occur between two specific transfer layers,y

a metal layer being provided at thislpoint which serves as a reactive material for identifying` the stamp when simple tests are made, While at the same time serving as a reinforcing of the transfer layer. Other objects-fand advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

'I'he invention is illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a broken plan view of a decalcomania body consisting of paper upon which are supported the decalcomania transfers; Fig. 2, a

transverse sectional view; Fig. 3, a plan view of.

the decalcomania broken off above the metal layer, the metal layerv containing the words State of Minnesota; Fig. 4, a View similar to Fig. 3 but showing a white ink layer substituted for the metal layer and upon which appears the signature of the Secretary of State or some similar oiiicial in chargeof the issuance of stamps.

In the illustration given, I provide a paper base of a suitable type or quality, and upon this is placed a layer of Water-soluble adhesive. Over the adhesive layer is a decalcomania ink print. Instead of the single print shown, it is understood that there may be several layers as in the usual practice. For the purpose of clearness, however, a number of decalcomania layers are omitted in the illustration.

Over the decalcomania print layer is shown a metal layer. This metal layer may be formed of powdered aluminum and oil, or of any other suitable, material. Itservesa double purpose. In itself,` itv serves as a means for identifying the print by reactiongwith a weak solution of hydrochloric acid; In this solution, the aluminum combinesr with the chloride to form aluminum chloride. The freed hydrogen attaches in the form of bubbles' t'o the transfer body and causes it to rise to the top, thus identifying the transfer. A more detailed description is given in Patent No. 2,150,718 for. Revenue stamp, which issued March 14, 1939. In addition to this means of identification, the metal layer serves as a reinforcement for Suitable identifying'mark may be printed there- 21,'4

oni Insteadlof' metal, awhite ink decalcomania layerniayA be used,` as shown in Fig; 4, and upon this may befinscribed-the signature of an oicial or, if desired, the name of'the official may be printed thereon. It will be understood that any suitable-identifying mark or name may be emp'loyedi f i Overl themetal or substitute layer Vis a weak bond `which may be broken up by abrasion so as to separate the layers thereabove from the metal orv substitute layer.` This weak bond may be formed of any suitable adhesive or the printing ink itself at this point may be of a character which is readily broken by abrasion. Any low grade and weak adhesive bond, such as low grade glue adhesive, etc., may be used.

Above the weak bond are several layers of 4ordinary decalcomania prints'. Only two layers are shown, but it will be understood that in regular practice there may be a greater number or lesser number of such prints. Over the topmost layer is the usual imprint. If desired, a lacquei` coating or any suitable material may be used over the imprint to protect the same. This, however, may be omitted if desired. 5

In the operation of the device, should it be desired at any time to determine whether the stamp is a true or authentic one, no matter whether it is applied to a container or is carried by the paper base, it is only necessary to rub or abrade the top portion of the stamp. Since the imprint and the layers therebelow above the weak bond are united by a high grade and tenacious adhesive, these layers will cling together and operate as a unit. When broken, they will cleave at the point of the weak bond, thus exposing readily the metal layer carrying the name of the State or some similar mark or the substitute layer carrying the signature of an oflicial or some other identifying mark. It will be observed that in this operation, the metal not only serves as a means for supporting the identifying mark, 'but also. provides a reinforced sturdy surface which cooperates with the weak bond in causing the cleavage to occur at this point. The metal layer resists the abrasion while at the same time permitting the weak bond thereabove to separate so as to expose the metal. It will be understood that any other reinforcing material may be used rather than metal to resist the abrasion and thus facilitate the separation of the decalcomania layers. The metal further has the utility described in Patent No. 2,150,718 and which enables the authenticity of the stamp to be determined when the same is dropped into a beaker containing hydrochloric acid, the transfer first dropping into the container and then rising as the metal reacts with the acid. n

The metal layer may be of any suitable type. Where the metal is to be used as a reagent, as described above, it is preferred that it consists of a metal above hydrogen in the electromotive series.v Powdered aluminum and powdered zinc have been found particularly useful as reagents.

However, where it is not desired to employ the metal as a reagent, any other suitable reinforcing metal or material may be used.

While in the foregoing description, I have set forth a specific structure and mode of operation,

it will be understood that these may be modified widely without departing from the main and broad thought of my invention. F'urther, the stamp or label may be used not only as a decalcomania, but as an ordinary stamp,"the lower layer of the stamp being applied directly to the container through the use of adhesive.'v vI-wish it to be understood that I do'not desire to be limited kto the exact details of-v construction shown and' described, for obvious modifications will occur'to a person skilled in theart.

I claim: y

. 1. A tax stamp and the like having atransfer body composed of several layers, an identification mark on one of the intermediate layers,

and a -Weak bond joining thelayer carrying theidentification mark to the layer next Vabove whereby upon abrasion of the top portion of the stamp, the upper layers are broken away at a point above the identification mark.

2. A tax stamp and the like comprising a plurality of layers united by adhesive, an identifying mark on one of the intermediate layers,r

and a bond weaker than the bond between the other layers and lying just above and engaging the layer carrying the identifying mark, said bond being frangible upon abrasion of the top portion of the stamp and causing the topmost layers to break off under abrasion directly above the layer containing the identifying mark.

3. A tax stamp and the like comprising a body consisting of a plurality of layers, a reinforced intermediate layer carrying an identifying mark, and a bond weak as against abrasion above and joining said reinforced layer to the layer next above.

4. A tax stamp and the like comprising a body formed of a plurality of layers, a metal ayer within said body, an identifying marl; carried by saidr metal layer, and a bond weak ai against abrasion directly above said metal laye'. and joining said metal layer to the layers thereabove.

5. A tax stamp and the like comprising a body formed of a plurality oflayers, a metal layer within said body, an identifying mark carried by said metal layer, and a bond weak as against abrasion directly above said metal layer and joining said metal layer to the layers thereabove, said layer consisting of a powdered metal above hydrogen in the electromotive series.

6. A tax stamp andthe like comprising a body formed of a plurality of layers, a metal layer within said body, an identifying mark carried by said metal layer, and a bond Weak as against abrasion directly above said metal layer and joining said metal layer to the layers thereabove, said metal consisting of powdered aluminum. .f

7. A decalcomania transfer comprising a plurality of layers, a.k bond vweak as against abrasion extending above and engaging one of said layers, an identifying mark on the layer below said bond whereby when the top portion of the transfer is abraded, the layers strip 01T to a point above said layer containing the identifying mark so as to expose the identifying mark.

GEORGE M.-` EISENBERG. 

